Huntsville AL vs Tampa FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntsville
218,814
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
Tampa
35.6
Tampa +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
Tampa
51.8%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
Huntsville +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 35.6 | Tampa + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 58.4% | 51.8% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 21.3% | Huntsville + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
Huntsville +
Tampa
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
Tampa
44.6%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.7% | Huntsville + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 15.9% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 44.6% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
Tampa
50.2%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $376,530 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 50.2% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
Tampa
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
Tampa
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Tampa
12.6%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.4% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.9% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 16.7% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 12.6% | Tie |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
Huntsville +
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
Tampa
46.3 in
Tampa +
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | 73.4°F | Huntsville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | 46.3 in | Tampa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
Tampa
26.8 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 26.8 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, Tampa is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. Huntsville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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